How to Become a Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions (RDAEF)

Please review the Table of Permitted Duties for Dental Assistants, Orthodontic Assistants, Dental Sedation Assistants, Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs), and Registered Dental Assistants in Extended Functions (RDAEFs).

All licensees are responsible for understanding and following the laws and regulations that govern their practice. Violations can result in license denial or discipline, as well as criminal prosecution. For more information, please visit the Required and Prohibited Conduct page of our website.

RDAs with Extended Functions issued from other states may not practice in California through reciprocity. All persons who wish to perform the functions of an RDAEF in California must obtain licensure through the process described below.

Requirements to Obtain an RDAEF License

Submit a completed Application for Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions Examination and Licensure as described in the Application section below.
Pay the non-refundable application fee of $120.
Provide documentation of completing one of the pathways to licensure listed in the Pathway section below.
Hold a current, active, and valid license as a registered dental assistant issued by the Board. Applicants must provide their license information when applying.
Provide documentation of successful completion of a Board-approved course in Pit and Fissure Sealants.
Submit fingerprints by Live Scan or card for the purpose of a background check, as described in the Background Check section below.
Pass the Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions Written Examination described in the Written Examination section below.
Provide evidence of completing a Basic Life Support course as described below.

Application

Applications for Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions Examination and Licensure are submitted online through BreEZe. If you are a new BreEZe user, you will first need to register for a free account. When applying through your BreEZe account, select the application named Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions Examination and Licensure. Next, upload your RDAEF Program completion document and Pit and Fissure course certificate. Finally, furnish payment of $120.00 to finish the online application. Applications without payment are not considered submitted.

The Department of Consumer Affairs offers a “How To” help tutorial video for the BreEZe system. The video can be accessed by clicking on the following link: Help Tutorials.

For an optimal experience when accessing your BreEZe account, use a standard computer or laptop. All options may not be available when using a hand-held device such as a smartphone or iPad.

You may also mail in your Application for Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions Examination and Licensure. Include your pathway documents, a copy of all required course certificates, and a check or money order of $120 made payable to the Dental Board of California.

Pathway

Submit certificate indicating you have completed one of the following pathways to licensure:

You have satisfactorily completed an extended functions postsecondary program approved by the Board in all the procedures specified in Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 1753.5.
You have satisfactorily completed an extended functions postsecondary program approved by the Board to teach the duties that registered dental assistants in extended functions were allowed to perform pursuant to board regulations prior to January 1, 2010, and a course approved by the Board in the procedures specified in paragraphs (1), (2), (5), and (7) to (11), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of BPC section 1753.5.

Required Board–Approved Courses

Submit documentation that you have completed all the required Board-approved courses listed below. A copy of the Certificate of Completion issued by the course provider is required.

Course in Pit and Fissure Sealants.
Current certification in Basic Life Support issued by the American Red Cross (ARC), the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI), the American Dental Association's Continuing Education Provider Recognition (CERP) program, or the Academy of General Dentistry's Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE).

Background Check

Holders of current RDA licenses are not required to resubmit to the fingerprinting requirement if they have valid fingerprint clearances from both the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI on file with the Board. If your RDA license was issued prior to 2010, and you have not submitted to the fingerprinting requirement, you will have to obtain a fingerprint clearance from both the DOJ and the FBI.

You will complete a Request for Live Scan Service form and take it to a Live Scan service location. You will be sent the Request for Live Scan Service form once your application has been reviewed. The Live Scan service location will require you to pay a fee. Your fingerprints will be taken electronically, without ink, and transmitted to the DOJ. Finally, the DOJ will send their report to the Board. Usually, the report is received within seven days. There is a low rate of rejections with this method. For more information on fingerprinting, visit the Fingerprinting Information page of our website.

Application Processing Time

The standard processing time is 30 days. Upon processing, a notification will be mailed to the address indicated on the application. The notification will inform you of the status of your application. Applications submitted without all required documentation are considered deficient (incomplete).

Written Examination

Each new applicant for RDAEF licensure must pass the Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions Written Examination.

Once the Board approves your completed Application for Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions Examination and Licensure, you will be authorized to take the written examination. The Board will send an authorization notice to your address of record which will include instructions to schedule your examination.

The written examination is administered by the examination administration provider contracted with the Board, PSI Services LLC (PSI). PSI will mail the Candidate Information Bulletin to your address of record. Review the Candidate Information Bulletin thoroughly for important information about acceptable clothing attire, cancellation policy, and other guidance. If you fail the exam, or miss your scheduled test date, you can contact PSI to reschedule the exam in 7–10 business days. You will not be required to make an additional submission for eligibility or to apply for re-examination.

NOTE: An RDAEF who has a current license at the time of application that was issued prior to January 1, 2010, and who has completed a course approved by the Board in the procedures specified in Business and Professions Code section 1753.5, subdivisions (b)(1), (2), (5), and (7) to (11), inclusive, is not required to take the RDAEF Written Examination.

Once an applicant is found to be qualified for licensure, a pocket identification card and wall certificate are issued. There is no license fee required for the initial license other than the initial application and examination fees. For more information, call (916) 263-2300 or email DA.Program@dca.ca.gov.

Testing Accommodations for Licensure Candidates with Disabilities

Applicants who have a disability and need a testing accommodation to take a licensure examination can view the testing accommodation request form and information. Applicants can contact the Dental Assisting Program by email at DA.Program@dca.ca.gov or by phone at (916) 263-2300 with any questions.

Cancellation (Abandonment) of Applications

If your application is cancelled (abandoned), you must reapply for RDAEF licensure as a new applicant. You will need to submit a new completed application, submit qualification documentation, and pay the appropriate fee.

California Code of Regulations, title 16, section 1004. Abandonment of Applications.

An application shall be deemed to have been abandoned in any of the following circumstances:

The applicant fails to submit the application, examination, or reexamination fee within 180 days after notification by the Board that such fee is due and unpaid.
The applicant fails to take the licensing examination within two years after the date his or her application was received by the Board.
Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subdivision, the applicant, after failing the examination, fails to take a reexamination within two years after the date the applicant was notified of such failure.
The Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions (RDAEF) applicant, after failing either the clinical or practical component of the examination, fails to take a reexamination of the failed component within two years after the date the applicant was notified of such failure.

An application submitted subsequent to the abandonment of a former application shall be treated as a new application.
For any other application deficiencies not listed in subdivision (a), an applicant for a license who fails to complete application requirements within one year after being notified by the Board of deficiencies in his or her application, shall be deemed to have abandoned the application and shall be required to file a new application and meet all of the requirements which are in effect at the time of reapplication.